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Former tribal executive gets prison, ordered to pay back $151,477

Court records say that between January 20, 2011, and March 9, 2013, Adam and his co-defendants stole money from his district by writing checks to themselves for payroll, stipends, assistance, travel and others reason not listed.

Former tribal executive gets prison, ordered to pay back $151,477

A former Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe executive board member was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $151,477 for embezzlement.

Thomas Adam, 46, will also spend three years on supervised release following his release. Court records say that between January 20, 2011, and March 9, 2013, Adam and his co-defendants stole money from his district by writing checks to themselves for payroll, stipends, assistance, travel and other reasons not listed.

In total, $415,499 was stolen from the district by Adams and his co-defendants.

The case was brought through The Guardians Project, a federal law enforcement initiative to coordinate efforts between participating agencies; to promote citizen disclosure of public corruption, fraud and embezzlement involving federal program funds, contracts, and grants; and to hold accountable those who are responsible for adversely affecting those living in South Dakota’s reservation communities.